ACN

The Cuban westernmost Pinar del Rio province has restored 58 percent of its electricity distribution, after been cut off from the National Grid System (SEN) last Saturday by the passage of Hurricane Gustav.
The hurricane, the third strongest to hit Cuba in known history, with gusts of wind up to 212 miles per hour, knocked down 136 high voltage transmission towers, and an uncountable number of distribution poles.

Thanks to the 577 small power generator network working in the territory, electricity was provided to the service facilities during the hurricane, while the same units are guaranteeing the service to residential areas.

Cuban Province Hit by Gustav Restores Electricity DistributionExecutives from the Basic Electric Organization (OBE) made clear that the province is still cut off from the grid, while the high voltage transmission tower replacement works are still underway on the 110 kilovolt line, something that will take longer on the 220 kilovolt line.

So the country has set aside 585,000 litres of fuel to guarantee the work of the small power generator network, a motive to use the electric services rationally, they insisted.

Working along with the electric workers from Pinar del Rio are back-up forces from other parts of the country, without asking for any comforts and thankful for being welcomed in the affected areas.

Step by step, the inhabitants of the eight most affected towns, thanks to the efforts of these forces, are improving their living conditions, while they are also working on the repair of the phone and television services.

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I can’t speak for the other provinces, but I spoke four days ago to a cousin in Pinar del Rio and she has her power back.  Materials and supplies were streaming in for repairs on houses and roofs.